When it's Time...

...time to dump the junk. Scrap the "crap". Oh I know the politically correct verb-age would be "Stash busting"!  What's your favorite saying for using up the scraps, that seem to take over our lives when we quilt?

I'm horrible about throwing anything "fabric" away... The scrap bins were overflowing and the drawers would no longer close. It was just time to stop the madness and fix it.

I dumped everything out, and ironed it all.

Holy cow, that was a job in itself.

After searching for the perfect stash buster pattern for my scraps,

I found "Urban Development"

HERE

Off I went cutting up my scraps into 2" squares and strips.

These 16 patches used up a ton if scraps!

Happy dance, happy dance.

White quilts, like the pattern shows, don't do well in my house. There is a certain mechanic, who shall remain nameless... Need I say more?

:-)

So, I chose a navy blue for the main color of my quilt.

My hand dyes are the outer sashings.

Becky Tillman Petersen is the designer of this pattern...

She has an awesome Facebook page, where you can find great ways to use up that stash.

Check her out right 

HERE

Yes, I did manage to force myself to throw out the little scraps.

But my inner self kept telling me,

 there was so much I could do with these!   

Hummm... I haven't taken the trash out yet...

No, they are going for sure.

I've got bigger scraps to worry about right now.

Have a great weekend.

You know where you'll find me!

Til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

New Beginnings Blog Hop with Island Batik

It's a brand new year and we've got a new attitude!

We are shaking things up and sharing with you.

We have seen some fabulous projects with the new lines 

Island Batik has released.

I'm sure your heads are spinning with ideas of your own.

Today I'm sharing the cool new "Frost" Collection.

Oh how those colors,  can warm your heart on a cold winter day!

On this winter day, I put on my thinking cap.

Friends and Frost...

I really can't think of anything that says "Frost", 

better than snowmen do...

and this fun new line of fabric, sure makes them come to life.

Give Away time...

and no one does it better than Island Batik.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

        I do want to thank the fine folks of Island Batik and all my fellow

    ambassadors. Your creativity and  support means the world to me!

                      You can find the complete schedule of this hop

                                                   HERE

Hummm... I guess a little disclaimer is due...

No, I don't really think all my friends are flakes!

Just a few.

;-)

Does that leave you wondering, if I'm thinking of you?

LOL!!!!

You know I love  you all!

Till next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Have a Jolly Little Christmas QAL

Have you seen this Quilt Along from Sew Fresh Quilts?

I am just in love with it.

Yesterday, I made the 2 blocks that have been released, so far.

They are "sew" cute and "sew" fast to stitch up.

Check it out 

HERE

It's just started and it's never to late to join in.

Lorna has some adorable ideas with these blocks.

The machines in the quilt cave have been smokin' this week.

But I'm not quite ready to share.

In the mean time...

Tuesday is my day in the Island Batik, New Beginnings

blog hop. Make sure you stop in for a visit.

I've got a little something for everyone!

;-)

And a big thanks for all who visited during the 

"Fresh Snow" blog hop.

The winner of the pattern bundle give away was 

Bonnie T, and I have sent and email to her for her mailing info.

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

A Fresh Snow Blog Hop

If your living anywhere in the United States, you have likely had to deal with plenty of that "white stuff" lately. What a winter this has been.

Record snowfalls and ice storms.

Even the ole car pond was a bit cranky!

There is nothing you can do, but hunker down and make the best of it.

For me it's the perfect time, to do some stitching in my sewing cave!

This blog hop has a bit of a twist to it, as you may have heard.

We have to use something other than your standard quilting cotton 

to make our projects...

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

I've been collecting old jeans for years.

It's about time I got the totes of them out and put them to good use!

A little shopping trip to the clearance aisle in my fabric store...

I find this, what I call "Mystery" fabric.

Since it was half price and a remnant, I wasn't going to be out much if it didn't work, so I brought it home serged the edges, washed it in hot water and thru it in the dryer. It came out looking just like it did when I put it in the washer.

 I'm not too sure just why the

Professional Cleaning Recommendation...

but then, what do I know!

With a theme like Fresh Snow...

This guy was a given!

I haven't made a raggy quilt in a very long time.

A layer of flannel in between the top and bottom adds 

warmth and makes it"bloom" so nicely when it's washed.

Flannel on the back give you that extra snuggle effect, 

we all love in the winter.

The boys do look  happy don't they?

If you haven't ever made a denim quilt, they are wonderfully warm.

They wash up like a dream, and are heavy as heck.

My arms were sure tired by the time I got this all put together.

But it was well worth it when the temperatures dip down so low.

I am snug as a bug in a rug...

...watching TV at night, under my new quilt!

If I can fight it away from the "Queen of the Castle", that is.

Sharing is not her stong suit!

:-)

Now there is a little lesson I learned through this process.

That wonderful mystery fabric, does NOT like to be ironed.

Don't ask me how I know, it's a nightmare I would rather forget.

LOL!!

Use an applique pressing sheet when in doubt

and ask questions later!

Trust me, you will thank me for this some day.

Now for a couple of give aways.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want a new project to do?

I've got a give away, also.

My BFF cleaned out her sewing room and 

has given me lots of fun patterns to share.

This bundle will go to one of you lucky readers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will pick the winner on Saturday, Jan 28th.

Marian will select the wooly block kit winners, at the end of the hop.

A big Thanks for Marian for making us think outside the box.

She works so hard to keep us in "stitches"

;-)

Be sure you check out my fellow bloggers and see just what snowy creations they have come up with for you!

Jan 20

Jane's Quilting
Lulu & Celeste
Quilt In Piece
3Patch Crafts

Jan 23

Quilted Fabric Art
Ravellry
Bdieges

Jan 24
Elm Street Quilts
Cloth & Paper Studio
MooseStash Quilting
Any Pattern
SeaCoast Quilter

Jan 25
Life in the Scrapatch
Sew Many Yarns
Seams To Be Sew

You know, I just have to share...

I found these when going thru that tub of jeans.

They are probably size 3-T.

My boys are in their mid 30's now.

OMG, I really need to clean out some stuff!

hahahahahahah

Keep on Stitchin'

Sue and Sam...from Japan

As the days of these Sue and Sam's traveling the world, winds down...

My machine is working overtime trying to catch up.

Sue and Sam from Japan...

Africa Sue joins in!

You only have a short time left to get these cuties...

HERE

is where you go to check them out!

Don't delay.

:-)

Til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'